Quartetto Gelato CD

"Quartetto Gelato's performances have a warm, endearing vitality..." New York Times"Light programming, like comedy, is serious business. Quartetto Gelato has the stuff. Dry humor and occasional clowning are part of the quartet's arsenal, yet first it meets the requisite of skilled music-making. Its pleasure-giving is consistent." LA TimesCynthia Steljes - oboe, English hornPeter De Sotto - tenor, violin, mandolinAlexander Sevastian - accordion, pianoKristina Reiko Cooper - celloSince their debut in 1994, Quartetto Gelato has won the hearts of audiences worldwide with their unique blend of sparkling technique, musical finesse and humor. In recital and with orchestra, Quartetto Gelato has become an international favorite with sold-out repeat performances in New York, Washington, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Toronto, London, Milan, Tokyo, Seoul and Hong Kong among others.Classical in intent, eclectic by design, Quartetto Gelato's programs are filled with an exciting mix of traditional masterworks, operatic arias, tangos, gypsy fiddling and folk songs from around the world. Their relaxed stage presence establishes an immediate rapport with traditional and non-traditional classical audiences alike. Unique in the classical world, they perform without scores, giving their performances a sense of spontaneity and exuberance rarely seen on the classical stage. The 2003-2004 season has included recitals and workshops throughout the US and Canada, as well as a return tour to Korea and Japan. Quartetto Gelato also frequently performs with symphony orchestras. This year the quartet introduced their new orchestral pops program Italianissimo! in their debut with the Sioux City Orchestra and with return visits to the Toronto Symphony and the Calgary Philharmonic. August will feature the quartet's debut tour of Italy with performances in Stresa, Sorrento, Rome, Ravina and Sicily. Active in the recording studio, Quartetto Gelato recently released Quartetto Gelato Travels the Orient Express following the original journey of the famous train and featuring music from London to Istanbul. Since the release the recording has been on the top-selling classical charts in Canada. Their previous recordings, which have played a significant role in the group's increasing popularity, are Neapolitan Café, Aria Fresca; Rustic Chivalry; and their debut recording, simply entitled Quartetto Gelato. The latter two CD's have literally been heard around the world, since they accompanied Canadian astronaut, Dr. Robert Thirsk, during his NASA flight on board the space shuttle Columbia in 1997.Quartetto Gelato can also be heard on the soundtrack recording of the major motion picture Only You, starring Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr., on the Sony label. Additionally they have appeared on the hit CD recording of Ashley McIsaak on the A & M record label.Classical radio listeners across the continent know Quartetto Gelato by their instantly recognizable sound, which is broadcast frequently on the CBC, PRI and NPR networks. In particular, the band has been featured regularly on NPR's popular Performance Today program, which recognized Quartetto Gelato in 1996 by presenting them with their award for "Debut Artist of the Year." The panel of music critics who made that selection characterized the quartet as "an amazing ensemble that achieves the nearly impossible: they play salon music with real style and classical music with real precision; Great chops and a commitment in all that they play." As universal as Quartetto Gelato's appeal is through their captivating performances, so is their search for talent. In September 2002, founding members Cynthia Steljes (oboe, English horn) and Peter DeSotto (tenor, violin, mandolin) invited Alexander Sevastien (accordion, piano) and Kristina Reiko Cooper (cello) to join Quartetto Gelato.For further information, please contact:Geoff Kulawick - Linus EntertainmentTel:(905)278-8883 ext: 230 Email: geoff@linusentertainment.com